The Treasure of Teamwork

Dave and I took our second big trip of the summer this past weekend. A big trip for us is anything that involves more than 150 miles of driving and more than one night stay. I realize this might not be big for some families, but with our family of 6, that takes a monumental effort.

First is the packing. This trip was two nights at my Aunt & Uncle’s camp. That means hiking, fishing, swimming, lots of dirt, and about a 30 degree temperature swing from early morning into midday. That can require an array of clothing choices….x 6. Plus, with our young crew, we need 2 pack-n-plays, a double stroller, a tote of snacks, sippies, bottles, another with toys, another with swim gear, all our towels for swimming and baths, blankies, pillows………….

Needless to say, our 8 seater SUV doesn’t cut it. We have to pull a trailer just to haul the “stuff”. “Stuff” that takes days to wash, organize, and pack.

The 4-hour drive takes 6 hours with at least one meal and one other stop. Then we have to unpack the “stuff”, settle ourselves in, get 48-hours of fun, family & adventure packed in…then the whole process in reverse.

The time with family, the memories, the watching of our boys finding adventure in canoes, frog catching, 4-wheeler rides, town fireworks…all worth the effort. And only possible and enjoyable because of the wonderful teamwork Dave and I have forged in our marriage.

The teamwork we have in our marriage is such a treasure. Four boys ages 5 and under can be a lot of work. Add to that a house, a yard, two dogs, two extended families…we have lots to do. Always.

Building a good team means each person knows and understands the role they play. They learn to communicate well, to resolve conflict quickly, to pull together and fight through the struggles. And good teams takes time. Time full of lots of practice, lots of mistakes and lots of getting back up to try again.

A good teammate is ready to forego their own self for the success of the team. They are willing to step in when their teammate needs them, and cheer from the bench when they aren’t in the play.

And a good team needs a good Coach. One who inspires them daily, gives them direction and listens when they are struggling. Dave and I have found a good Coach in God. His Word gives us direction, and defines our roles. He is the winningest coach in marriage!

A good team also has a common enemy….and it is not each other! We battle exhaustion. We tackle bath time. We stand together to fight off satan’s attacks.

We have our good days and our bad, but when we are functioning well as a team, there is a flow to life, a beautiful balance of efforts, a cohesion of activity and a coordination of movement that makes even the most monumental of efforts achievable.

Do you have a good teammate? It is certainly something to treasure. If you don’t, think of these things…

Who are you letting be your coach? What example are you looking to in forming your team?

Do you know and understand your roles? If there is tension here, it is time to have an honest talk to work out these responsibilities.

Who is your enemy? If your spouse is the first face you see when reading that question, then it is time for some serious team-building efforts to get back on the same side of the line.

When is the last time you celebrated a victory? Set a goal, even if it is just to work together to have a smooth and peaceful family dinner, and then celebrate that victory with ice cream cones!

Danielle

After pursuing a degree in computer engineering and an MBA, Danielle thought her future would be spent in the board room and the male-dominated world of the high-tech industry. Instead, Christ grabbed her life and heart, through her marriage to Dave and their early struggles. Her life is now is spent in the living room and it is still male-dominated. Drop into Danielle’s house and you’ll find her giving her all to her marriage and her five sons, born within 6 years and all named after baseball legends (which in the Peters family, is right next to biblical heroes). She now sees herself as a translator, as she learns the language of men and boys, and yearns to help others embrace and speak the language that will set our men and marriages, sons and schooling, LEGOs and legacies, on fire for God’s Kingdom.

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My name is Aimee and I'm one of the co-founders here at Fancy Little Things. I am a Christian, engaged to Lenny, the Gluten Free Dad and raising our 3 kids together on the North Carolina coast.

Fancy Little Things first launched in March 2011. With a few years of silence during some of the most difficult years of my life, I have felt God pulling my heart back to this project and I am so thankful.

I have missed being here dearly and we are excited to re-launch this blog with fresh new content in March 2019.